Page 11

But his gaze flickers from Perl to Kerik with a kind of idle fascination.

All the faeries on the dais, like all the faeries in the hall, are clothed richly, but quite lewdly. With low necklines and exposed flesh. Perl is dressed far more chastely than any other faerie in the hall without a single scrap of skin visible excepting his face and hands.

When Perl reaches a small square outlined in silver before the dais. He stops on it and indicates with a hand for Kerik to stand behind him, just outside the silver square. “Greetings, my Queen,” he says, “The fair Exeinil-que-zeren-ai, Perfection Beyond Comprehension. I return to pay tribute to you.” Perl bows low.

The faerie Queen in the centre of the dais, makes a gasping sound. She raises a hand to her forehead in mock shock. As Perl straightens, she says, “Perlash-zeren-ai, my once-favoured fae, so you have finally come back to us after so long.”

Her voice sounds sweet and musical.

Kerik tries to look at her while also keeping his gaze lowered. At these close quarters she is even more astonishingly beautiful. Every faerie on the dais is. Their clothing is so fine. The Queen’s blue gown is heavy with jewels, the bodice covered with precious stones in white and blue. The long skirts are made of silk so sheer it’s like a kind of mist. And the fabric is dotted all over with more tiny gemstones. The wealth displayed in this single gown could buy a kingdom.

What kind of riches does the faerie realm have? This hall makes the Rose Palace look like a drab hovel.

The faerie prince with golden hair leans forward, chin still resting on his hand. He has a smirk on his face. There is something quite cold and cruel in it. “After you left in your rage, we all expected we’d never see you again, Perlash,” he says, sounding almost bored.

Beside him, the Queen turns with a rustle of gem-encrusted silk. “Silence, Vanel-areti-ai. I am sure you are just as delighted as I to see Perlash here again, where he is meant to be.” She looks back at Perl. “You know, Perlash, I had been long afeared that if you ever returned here I would be forced to take your head for leaving in such a fashion. But it seems things may have changed for you. Is that a thrall you have with you? A mortal thrall? Are you planning to introduce us to this beautiful creature?”

Perl turns to Kerik. He gestures to him. “Your Grand Majesty, may I present, a mortal treasure from Azuria. A fine beauty I discovered growing in that foul place like a sweet rose in horse shit.”

He nods. Kerik takes the hint and bows.

As he raises his head he sees the Queen smiling at him. “An Azurian? How exotic. And I am so glad in my heart to see that you have come around to the correct ways for a fae of your status. Let me see this creature in its correct position. Put it on its knees.”

Perl hisses, “Kneel before her, thrall.”

Kerik pauses, just for a moment, but long enough to see panic light Perl’s eyes. Funny to make him wonder for a moment if Kerik will actually do it.

Kerik steps forward onto the silver square and drops onto his knees beside Perl.

“Right down,” Perl says quietly.

Kerik glances at Perl before lowering his body until his forehead is on the floor. Perl really should have explained the protocol in more detail, but he assumes this is what he is meant to do.

While he’s still in position, able to see nothing but the glittering white floor, he hears a distinctive rustling sound and elegant, clicking footsteps. The Queen is coming down from the dais, walking towards him.

He hears her voice again, nearer this time. It still sounds like music. “It might be a pleasing looking mortal, but it isn’t very well trained. Thrall, up.”

It takes Kerik a moment to realise this last word is directed at him. He kneels up, sitting back on his heels. He keeps his gaze on the floor. Cool fingers touch his shoulder. Then move. The Queen is walking around him. He can see her beautiful skirts. “But that’s easily fixed. You ought to send it to the pit.”

“I cannot be without him. I am quite obsessed with him.”

The Queen laughs. “So, this is what you like. We’ve all been wondering. I am delighted to see how fine your taste in lovers has become.”

There is another rustling. Perl makes an odd, surprised grunt. Kerik glances up from the floor. The Queen is embracing a stiff-backed Perl.

Perl catches Kerik’s eye. He gives a small nod to indicate Kerik should look down. Kerik does so, and as he does, he hears the Queen say, “I knew those rumours about your nature being fixed weren't true. My own Perlash-zeren-ai.”

There are more snapping footsteps, as someone else approaches. A mocking voice says, “So, this is all it takes for you to allow Perlash back into Vylenor after all the disgrace he has brought you? A meaty mortal thrall?”

“A very attractive mortal thrall,” says the Queen.

“And with that all is forgotten?”

Kerik glances up again. The new speaker is the golden-haired prince who was on the dais.

The Queen says, “We will see. I am sure there will be no doubt that Perlash-zeren-ai is a true fae. Especially when he presents himself with such a delightful creature.”

“The Queen of the Timeless Court would take his head as an abhorration," says the golden-haired prince.